adams



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(No Model.)

Patented May?, 1895,.

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(No Model.)

H. A. ADAMS.

'GOR-N SHELLER.

No. 538,856.V Patentd May 7, 1895.

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H. A. ADAMS. CORN SHELLER.

No. 538,855. Patented May 7', 1895,

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CORN SHELLER.

No. 538,856.' I Patented May 7,1895.

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H. A.ADAM8.

GOR-N'SHELLER.

tNo. 588.858, l Patented May 7.1895.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY A. ADAMS, OF SANDWICH, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE SANDWICH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OE SAME PLACE.

CORN-SHELLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 538,856, dated May '7, 1895.

' Application died November 27.1894. Serial No. 530.120. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: carried off to a wagon for removal, or to a stack Be it'known that I, HENRY A. ADAMS, a c itilikethe ordinary cob-stacker.V zen of theUnitedStates,residingatSandwich, The invention consists in certain special in the county of De Kallo and State of Illinois, features of construction in the shelling mech- 5 have invented certain new and useful Imanism, and some otherspecial features of the provements in Corn-Shellers, which are fully machine relating to the feed devices and the set forth in the following specification, referseparating devices. ence being had to the accompanying drawings', A corn sheller embodying my improvements in.which will now be described in detail, both as to ro Figure 1 represents a plan View of a cornkconstruction and operation, and the special oc Sheller embodying my invention; Fig. 2, alon improvements which I believe to be new and gitudinal vertical section of the Same, taken desire to secure by 'Letters Patent will be on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a detail secvmore definitely set forth in claims following X tion taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a the description. f

t5 transverse vertical section taken on the In the drawings A represents the main 63, broken'linefl l of Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a detail side frame of the machine which is here shown as elevation showing apart of the separators mounted on carrying wheels for transportaand devices for reciprocating them; Fig. 6, a tion from place to place. This frame may be cross-section of the same, taken on the line 6 considered asconsisting of two sections, a

2o of Fig. 5; Fig.l7, a transverse vertical seclower one,a,of full length, and an upper one, '7: 'lion taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 1; Fig. 8, a 0L', somewhat shorter than the lower, that is, detail side elevation near the rear end and on it does not extend so far to the rear as the the left of the mounted machine; Fig..9,a delower section. The top or cover, a2, of this tail side elevation of a portion of the shelling upper section is, hinged near one end so that 25 cylinder or case at the rear end thereof; Fig. almost the entire cover can be raised to reach 75 10, a transverse section of the same on the the interior of the case. Within this upper line 10 10 of Fig. 9; Fig. 1l, a side elevation casingorsection of thefrarnethere is mounted of the rotary sheller detached, and Fig. 12 a cylinder, B, which may loe called the shella detail plan section taken on the line 12 12 ing cylinder. This is composed of a series of 3o of Fig. 4. In these drawings Figs. 1 to 8, insolid r'ods, b, and a tubular rod, a3, located 8o elusive, and Fig. l2 areV upon one and the preferably at each quarter of the cylinder cirsame scale, and Figs. 9, lO, and 11 upon ancle. The rods are mounted and secured in other and enlarged scale. place'by means of a front head, b', and rear My invention relates lo corn shelling mahead, b2, in which the ends of the rods are set,

35 chines adapted to the shelling of ears of corn and rings, bs-h/, which are arranged at inter- 85 either husked or in the shuck. In these mavals along the case between the two ends and chines the ears of corn are delivered to the secu red by brace arms, b5, to the sides of the shelling mechanism in the shucks, that is, case, the last ring, b4, being next to the rear without bushing, or they are first husked, and end head. These parts are still further se- 40 -in either case the kernels of corn are detached cured by rods, a4, passing through the tube 9o from the cobs and in the latter case freedV rods, a3, and fastened by nuts, a5, on the ends from the husks by the operation of shelling projecting from the heads set up against the devices of peculiar construction. The delatter. Atitsfront end the topofthe cylinder tached corn is delivered from the shelling is partly cut away, or rather the upper rods .E5 mechanism to suitable separating devices and extend only to the first ring from the forward 95 thence from the machine to receptacles or head, thereby providing a top opening into other ordinary receivers of shelled corn, while the cylinder. At the rear end the lower cylinthe colos and shucks, when the ears are not first der rodseXtend only to the last ring h4, thereby liusked, are passed from the shelling devices providing an openingin the under part ofthe 5o to a conveyer by means of which they are cylinder at the rear end thereof. The first is -ioa der and brackets thereon. located in the wider space between the cylinfor the delivery of corn into the cylinder, and the last for the discharge therefrom. The rods composing the cy]inder are separated slightly from each other so as to provide spacesbetween adjacent rods sufficiently large forthe passage of kernels of corn. A revolving sheller, C, is mounted within this cylinder. This device consists ofashaft,c,running centrally through the cylinder and extending from head to head of the latter. This shaft is provided with spiral wings or flanges, c', two in number, arranged opposite each other on the shaft. These wings or anges run in a regular spiral from one end of the shaft to the other, and at their outer edges are provided at intervals with lugs or projections, c2, and at the rear end with an extension, c3, some distance along each edge, running out nearly even with the lugs. The lugs or projections czare preferably arranged so that when the parts are set up in working position the lugs will stand in about the same vertical plane as the respective ringsy of the cylinder. Preferably this winged shaft is tnbular,and asinall solid shaft, c4, passes through it, the latter being fixed on this smaller shaft by shrinkage or in any other suitable way. This shaft c4 extends` beyond the winged shaft c at each end and passes through the two heads of the cylinder in which it has bearings; and for additional support to this shaft, which is rapidly revolved, there is a strong bracket fastened to the outside of each cylinder head, the bracket be on the front head and 127 on the rear head, each of which provides a journal bearing for the respective projecting endsA of the small shaft. At the front end of the small shaft, outside of the bearing bracket, there is a bevel gear, c5, fixed thereon, and at the rear end thereof, outside the bearing bracket 197, there is a pulley, c,also fixed thereon. These shelling devices are arranged a little to one side of the frame casing so that there is a wider spacebetweeu the cylinder and ca-i`ng on one side than on the other.

At the front end of the cylinder casing and on the side of the wider space mentioned above there is a fixed shelf or chute, D, the width of the space between the first two supports of the cylinder, completely filling said space and extending from the side of the casing inward toward the cylinder on an incline downward and terminating at its inner edge withthe cut-away edge of the cyinderon that side, thereby formingakind of incline directly to the opening into the cylinder at the front end thereof, as seen in Fig. 7. This chute is provided with a series of slots, d, extending lengthwise thereof from near the side of the casing to the shelling cylinder.

A small shaft, E, is mounted in suitable bearings in the respective heads of the cylin- The shaft, E, is

der and, casing, being arranged a little higher than the sheller shaft so as to pass directly underneath the chute D. At the front end of this shaft there is a series of short lugs or arms, F, corresponding in number to the slots in the chute and projecting on each side of the shaft, being of sufficient length to extend up through the chute slots on the upper portion of their revolution. rlhese arms maybe called forcing or beater arms and may be made and secured to the shaftin any suitable way. In the drawings, however, they are shown as made in pairs, each pair a single article and having a short hub, f, in one piece with the two arms,f, of respective pairs, these hubs being fixed on the shaft in any suitable way. The bearing for the rear end of this armed shaft is a strong bracket, e, which is fastened to the outside of the rearhead and constructed to provide abearing for the shaft, and a band pulley, e', is secured to the end of the shaft outside this bracket and in the same vertical plane as the pulley on the rear end of the Sheller shaft. The front bearing bracket, c2,

is secured to the outside of the front head of,

the cylinder and constructed to provide a journal bearing for the front end of the said shaft outside the said cylinder head. An idle pulley, G, is also mounted on a journal, g, set in a bracket bearingfg', secured to the end of the cylinder casing and arranged between the two pulleys described, but in a horizontal plane somewhat higher, as seen in Fig. 3.

A hopper, H, is mounted at the front end of the machine over the inlet opening into the shelling cylinder and the slotted chute at one side thereof. The upper end of the hopper is contracted so that it is just about over the chute, but the inner side, 71 is inclined outward toward the other side of the casing, coming down directly at the opposite side of the cut-away portion of the cylinder so as to cover IOD and protect the said opening to the cylinder,

as seen in Fig. 7.

A sheet, l, of either wood or metal, preferably the latter, is constructed of a size corresponding substantially to the cross section ot' the upper or shelling case and is secured within the latter just back of the ring h4. This plate serves as a diaphragm shutting off the casing at this point to stop any corn which may be thrown outward and backward by the action of the shelling devices in front of this diaphragm. The diaphragm of course has an opening, i, for the shelling cylinder, and another one, t, for the driver or beater shaft, both of which must of course pass through this diaphragm.

A feed elevator, J, of ordinary construction, is arranged to deliver picked ears of corn, either husked or unhusked, into the top of the hopper in the usual way.

The sneller shaft is driven from a shaft, K, mounted transversely at the front end of the frame and having a bevel gear, k, fixed there- IIC "sesste will impart a rotary movement to the winged sheller shaft; and a belt, L, being passed around the pulleys on the rear ends of the sheller shaft and the beater shaft, the desired revolution will be imparted to the latter from the former. This belt is also carried to the corn elevator, the idle pulley serving as Va guide to one portion of the belt for this purpose, as it is inclined away at one side of the machine. This belt is also to be run to the driving shaft of the elevator which takes up and delivers the shelled corn. This elevator frame, M, is shown in the drawings mounted at one side of the machine on a pivotal support, m. This driving connection is of ordinary construction and requires no special description here.

Immediately below the shelling devices is the main riddle, N, running the length of the main frame and mounted so as to permit a reciprocating or sliding lengthwise movement. Below this riddle, toward the rear end thereof, there is a series of separators, O, O and O2, and a chute, n, is secured to the forward end of the riddle and extends to the rear to these separators which are also constructed and arranged to be reciprocated lengthwise. At the front of this separating mechanism there is a transverse troughgor receptacle, P, into which the cleaned corn is delivered from the separators and in which is mounted a spiral conveyer, p, which is rotated by any suitable device and conveys the shelled corn to one end of the receptacle where it connects with the elevator frame, M, for the purpose of delivering the shelled corn to the elevator. In front of the receiving trough is a blower, Q, the discharge opening of the case being just over one edge of the trough and opposite the lower portion of the separating mechanism. All of these parts are of old and well known construction and do not individually constitute anypart of the present invention. Hence they require no special description here, and as the same is true of the mechanism for driving or operating these old parts, it is unnecessary to give them attention or description further than to say they are illustrated in the drawings and are well known and in common use.

At the rear end of the shelling cylinder there is a kind of plate or table, R, being a sheet of metal or other suitable material, extending atross the upper frame from side to side and secured at its front edge to the rear head of the shelling cylinder below the brackets which are mounted thereon. This plate extends to the rear horizontally a short distance and then is bent down a little way, thus providing a downward curved section, r, at the rear free edge thereof which reaches down toward the riddle. A flap, S, of any suitable material, is connected at its upper edge to this curve of the said plate from which it depends almost to the riddle. It extends across the space within the frame or casing above the riddle and serves as a kind of swinging diaphragm to stop this passage. this flap is of exible fabric.

The operation is as follows: The machine being set in motion, the driving mechanism is so arranged that the winged sheller shaft Preferably will be revolved in the direction indicated by I arrows in the drawings, and the same remark applies tothe shaft carrying the arms or beaters at the bottom of the hopper. The driving devices are so regulated that a very high rate of speed is given to these two revolving shafts. The ears of corn are delivered by the' elevator directly into the hopper where they drop into the opening leading into the shelling cylinder, and if there is anyjam ming of the ears or tendency to clog in the hopper, the arms on the small parallel shaft break up this tendency and drive thel ears along into the cylinder. The spiral wings on thesheller shaft take the ears of corn as they are delivered into'the cylinder, carrying them forward by the usual action of spirals, and by reason of the rapid rotation given to this device, the ears areth'rown with great force and rapidity against the surrounding cylinder. In this operation the ears of corn are acted upon individually, that is, each o ne is struck separately and driven violently against the bars of the cylinder by the wings of the sheller shaft. The force is such that the ears rebound from the bars of the cylinder and are caught'again bythe shaft-wings and again forcfbly thrown against the surrounding case or cylinder; so the ears are carried forward by the spiral arrangement of the wings and at the same time are beaten back and forth, again and again, with great force between said wings and the cylinder, until finally they are brought to the bottom opening of the cylinder. This action does not depend upon the quantity of corn ears fed into theshelling devices. A single ear or a simple handful of ears dropped into the cylinder, when the sheller shaft is under its usual high rate of motion, will be as perfectly shelled as when the feed is'regular and rapid. These rapid, severe blows detach the kernels from the cobs and also separate them from the'shucks if the ears are not -husked This effect is also assisted by the lugs vor projections on the outer edges of the Wings. The kernels of cornfreed from the cobs and shucks are driven or dropped through the spaces in the cylinder and fall upon the riddle below. The cobs and shucks are carried along through the cylinder by the action of the spiral sheller shaft and are delivered through the bottom opening at the rear end of the cylinder upon the riddle also. The entire mass is therefore delivered upon the surface of this riddle, through the usual action of which the flrstseparation is effected. The cobs, shucks and any other coarse material are discharged at the rear end of the riddle to an elevator or any other device desired and the shelled corn, mixed with more or less dirt as usual, drops through the riddleand is delivered to ICO IIO

IIS

f set-3,856

the separators below, where it is cleaned from dirt by the action of the separators and the blast from the blower, as usual, and delivered to the trough or receptacle below, from which it is conveyed to the corn elevator. In the operation of the shelling devices moving so rapidly kernels of corn are thrown outward and rearward from the cylinder with great force. In order to stop these kernels in a rearward direction the diaphragm, I, is provided extending across the sheller chamber from side to side just at the outlet opening from the cylinder. The kernels of corn ilyin g out from the cylinder with great rapidity and force would in large measure be driven to the rear and even out at the rear end of the frame casing if there was no stop. Hence this diaphragm has an important function in the operation of this mechanism. More or less corn will also be discharged with the refuse at the rear end ot' the cylinder and with substantially the same force. In order to prevent any of the corn being thrown from this point out at. the rear end of the casing the pivoted flap, S, is provided and the plate, R, by which it is carried, this latter device being extended backward some distance from the cylinder so as to bring the ap near the outer end of the casing therefor, the plate also providing a covering to the passageway, which prevents any kernels of corn from flying out in that direction.

It will be noticed that the shelling devices are arranged lengthwise of the frame of the machine. This arrangement is convenient, economical and of considerable importance, for obviously if arranged transversely of the main frame it would require an extension on one or mboth sides of the latter, which would make the machine cumbersome and difficult of transportation from place to place and especially through gates and bars. Attention is also called to the arrangement of the shelling mechanism in substantially a horizontal position, which arrangement avoids objectionable height in the frame of the machine and at the same time secures an action of the shelling mechanism and separating devices which is very satisfactory.

There may be modifications in the mechanism of the corn sheller herein described and shown without departing from the main features of my invention. The wings on the sheller shaft may not be arranged on a regular spiral line around the shaft, but may be composed of regular spiral sections and connecting sections, running in a different direction, and may be provided with edge lugs or projections as described, or the latter may be dispensed with. The devices for driving the armed feed shaft and the shelled corn elevator may also be modified by substituting toothed gearing between the sheller shaft and the feed shaft in place ofthe band and pulleys shown in the drawings; and other like modifications.

The shelling cylinder may be constructed differently from the specific description here given, and otherlike changes may be effected without changing the general type of the machine. Such mechanical changes are con templated as within my invention and will be made as occasion may seem to demand or judgment may dictate.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a corn sheller, a shelling cylinder with openings along its length for the escape of shelled corn and a large inlet opening at the front end thereof for the reception of ears,in combination with a. revoluble sheller shaft arranged within the cylinder; a hopper mounted at the front end of the cylinder and opening into the inlet thereof but extending at oneside beyond the edge of said opening and the cylinder itself; a slightly inclined shelf or chtite at the bottom of the hopper between the inner edge of the cylinder inlet and the outer side of the hopper and provided with slots running across the space between the cylinder and the outer side of the hopper; and a revoluble supplementary shaft mounted within the shelling case lengthwise thereof, extending underneath said chute and provided with projections or arms corresponding to the slots in said chute through which they pass in the revolution of the shaft; substantially as described.

2. In a corn sheller, ashelling cylinder having a top inlet at its front end and au outlet at its rear end in the bottom of the cylinder v structure and in front of its rear extremity in combination with a revoluble winged sheller shaft mounted therein; a frame or casing within which this shelling mechanism is arranged; and a fixed diaphragm extending across said casing just in front of the outlet opening of the shelling cylinder and some distance in front of the open rear end of said cylinder; substantially as described.

3. In a corn sheller, a main frame, in coinbination with a` shelling cylinder, B, arranged lengthwise thereof; a revoluble sheller, C,

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mounted in said cylinder; aplate, R, secured to the rear head of the cylinder extending across the sheller frame and to the rear of the cylinder; a riddle, N, arranged immediately below the shelling mechanism; and a flap, S, hinged to the free edge of the plate, R, and depending nearly to the riddle; substantially as described.

4. In a corn sheller, a shelling cylinder, in combination with a revoluble sheller shaft passing through said cylinder lengthwise, a

a short, inclined guide at one side of the hopper bottom, extending inward just above the counter shaft to the cylinder' opening and constructed to allow the lugs or arms on the counter shaft to pass up and work through it within the bottom space of the hopper, and mechanism for rotating both said shafts, whereby the ears of corn are delivered by the hopper simultaneously to the action of both the sheller shaft and armed section of the counter shaft at the front ends of the two devices, substantially as described.

5. In a corn Sheller, a shelling cylinder consisting of xed heads, b-h2, and forming its respective closing ends, rings, as IDL-b4, fixed at different points`between the heads, and rods, b, mounted and held in the said parts, with an inlet in the upper side of the front end and anoutlet in the under side of the rear end thereof in 4combination with a revzo oluble sheller shaft, c, provided with spiral Wings or flanges, c', running lengthwise thereof and having short lugs or projections, c2, on their edges all arranged substantially in the same vertical planes as the respectivey 2 5 

